If the Ninja World had the internet, the Five Great Nations would already be trading barbed insults online, setting the stage for a virtual war. The Third Mizukage, instigator of the recent chaos, would have been the first to post, claiming responsibility. The Third Tsuchikage, a staunch Leaf critic, would like and share it instantly, thinking, "Anyone bashing Konoha is my brother." The Third Kazekage, wary of Konoha's scrutiny, might secretly create a dozen alt accounts to steer opinions, forming a self-styled "water army." The Third Raikage, dark-skinned and iron-willed, despised such antics but simply observed with cold, detached eyes. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage would puff on his pipe, shaking his head at the mortal farce, typing into his Q-Q Space: Stern Protest.
Hayashi didn't care about all that. His focus lay elsewhere, on the Third Mizukage's real intentions. If it were truly just for the Nine-Tails, he wouldn't have sent a handful of men—at the very least, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would have joined. By the same logic, if Madara had been involved, this small-scale operation would have been absurd—they should have staged an encirclement, a Land of Whirlpools version of the Battle of Kannabi Bridge.
"What a headache," Hayashi muttered. "Am I overthinking this?"
"What's wrong?" Kushina asked weakly, drained from overusing Nine-Tails Chakra.
"Nothing. Just wondering how Old Muzi is holding up." Hayashi smiled at the little fox, carrying her on his back as he walked toward the beach. They both sighed as they gazed at the endless sea.
"Are we really walking back to Konoha on Chakra?" Kushina asked.
Suddenly, a head broke the calm surface of the sea.
"…!"
They had assumed Old Muzi had gone down with the ship. Hayashi set Kushina down and waded into the water, pulling the old man out and bringing him back to shore.
"Those Kirigakure bastards! If I hadn't jumped fast, I'd be fish food by now!" Old Muzi cursed, hopping with vigor, showing no signs of injury. Seeing him safe, both Hayashi and Kushina breathed a sigh of relief.
"Pity the skiff sank to the bottom," Old Muzi muttered, a hint of melancholy in his tone. Though it wasn't his boat, a lifetime at sea had instilled in him an indescribable attachment to every vessel.
"How about we use one of those Kirigakure boats?" Hayashi suggested.
"From them?"
"Yeah. The Land of Water is far from the Land of Whirlpools—they couldn't have walked it here."
Old Muzi thought for a moment, then nodded. "I remember—a tiny islet near Whirlpool, just enough to stand on. The trajectory of their Ninjutsu matches that spot. The ship should be there if nothing went wrong."
"All right. I'll check."
Hayashi stepped across the water toward the lone islet near Whirlpool. Kushina, injured, needed rest anyway, so leaving her behind was fine. True to Old Muzi's guess, a ship was moored beside the narrow islet.
"A sailing ship?" Kushina exclaimed, fascinated. They had come on a gasoline-powered vessel, so the large sailboat anchored nearby captured her attention.
"The wind's right," Old Muzi observed, inspecting the ship. "With this sea breeze, we could reach the Land of Fire in about five days."
"Good. Let's set sail," Hayashi said.
Standing on deck, watching the Land of Whirlpools fade behind them, Kushina fell silent. Hayashi handed her a cup of floral tea.
"Can't bear to leave?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I left Whirlpool when I was very young. I'd forgotten so much about this place, but I always wanted to come back. Now… that obsession is gone. Honestly, I like Konoha better. There's you, Mikoto, Sister Tsunade, Minato, Nawaki… all my friends. Konoha is my real home."
Hayashi patted her shoulder. "Before she died, Grandma Mito worried most about you. She hoped you'd see Konoha as home, not just a place to stay. If she knew how you feel now, she'd be happy."
At the mention of Mito, Kushina's tears fell freely.
"I know… I've always known. It's just that, as a Jinchuriki, I always felt… But it's fine now. I listened to you and Grandma Mito, and I've gotten along with Kurama. I don't mind anymore."
Wiping her tears, she hesitated. "Hayashi, there's something I've kept bottled up for ages—may I ask?"
"Of course."
"The first time you taught me Ninjutsu, we were walking back at dusk. Watching your back, I felt… though we were both in Konoha, we were seeing different skies. Then the Second Great Ninja War broke out. You went to the battlefield and slowly became a hero. Over time, that distance in you faded. I don't understand… I feel this because I'm far from home, but you were born in Konoha—why were you like that?"
Hayashi studied her eyes long before shaking his head. "I have secrets I can't speak."
"Can't tell anyone?"
"Words without origin won't be believed. Better left unsaid."
"I believe you."
"But I haven't figured out how to say it."
Kushina pursed her lips, then asked softly, "Does Mikoto know?"
"No one knows, not even her."
"Are you planning to bury it forever?"
"Of course not."
A strange light flickered in her eyes. "Then when you're ready, can you tell me first?"
"Of course."
Hayashi gently patted her hair. Together, they leaned over the rail, watching the waves roar beneath them. After some time, Kushina straightened and shaded her eyes, gazing into the horizon.
"Hayashi, once we reach the Land of Fire, do we head straight back to the Village?"
"No, we'll swing by the Land of Crafts first."
"Why?"
"I'm giving the lightning blade to Kakashi as a gift, but the original design isn't enough—it needs a refit."
Kushina frowned. "Will the Hokage uncle be okay with that?"
"No problem. Our schedule is flexible; we just need to report back before the deadline."
"When's the deadline?"
"Half-year mission term, and we've only used six days."
"Wait… we're on a B-rank mission—why so long?"
Hayashi laughed. "What's that? When Uncle Jiraiya took a C-rank, he still hasn't returned after three years."
Kushina blinked.
"Relax. The Third Hokage gave us this time so I could take you out to see the world. You'll be a full-fledged Ninja someday—experience is vital. Besides, we're Ninja, not stuck on a 996 schedule. Nothing to fear."
"996?" Kushina asked.
"Nine to nine, six days a week."
"…I've been on the Barrier Team so long and never knew we had such benefits!" Her eyes sparkled. "If it's that good, I'd even take nine-nine-seven."
Hayashi chuckled. "If Konoha really adopted that system, the Third Hokage would surely say: 'A Ninja who drifts along is no brother of mine!'"